Construction
Again, this varies widely. There small portable devices about the size of a toaster and much larger units that can be a few feet tall. And then, of course, there’s everything in between. Some higher-end designs come with temperature controls, so they function as a thermostat that goes beyond “high, medium, and low” settings.
Unique Features
In addition to temperature controls, you can also opt for safety features like an automatic shut-off. This is especially important if there are concerns about the heater being knocked on its side or toppling over. If that happens, it should turn off, otherwise, the risk of fire is imminent.
Some models also come with a fan feature. This innovation is life-changing because instead of having a molten lava area within 10 inches of the heater and an igloo-like environment across the room, a blower fan within the unit can help distribute heat more evenly throughout the room.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Somewhat energy efficient
- Can be used by multiple people at once
- Alternative to central heat
Cons
- Higher risk of a fire hazard
- More expensive to run
- Difficult to get even heating in a room
- Cannot leave unattended without concern, especially around young children
Safety
There are some scary statistics about space heaters. In the case of home fires with fatalities, the culprit was one of these innocuous household items a whopping 79% of the time. This speaks to the fact that people leave them on and unattended, especially when sleeping.
Fortunately, this number should drop as more people are replacing outdated units with upgrades that shut off automatically when they topple over or after they’ve been on for a specified length of time.
To better increase safety, make sure that the unit is at least three feet away from anything flammable, including clothing, drapes, furniture, and bedding.
Get More Info: Are Space Heaters Safe?
Cost
The units themselves are inexpensive and start at about $20. Higher-end units can cost a hundred dollars or more. The key consideration should be electricity usage.
The label may specify an energy efficiency rating and even estimate how much it will cost to use the heater. A modern unit should be less expensive than a built-in wall heater or central heating.
Find Out More: How Much Does It Cost to Run a 1500 Watt Electric Heater?
Which One is Better?
The answer to this question depends on your preference. If you like the idea of bundling up and not making everyone else around you hot (or heating an entire room unnecessarily), then an electric blanket is probably your best bet.
But, if you want to heat an entire room and not have to wrap yourself in a blanket to feel comfortable, then you may want to use a space heater.
There’s no right or wrong answer to this question; it’s purely a matter of preference. During particularly cold months, you’re likely to want to use both!
An ideal setup would be to have a heated blanket in bed with you. Then when it’s morning and time to leave the cocoon of your cozy bed and strip down for a shower in a frigidly cold bathroom, then you will likely appreciate a space heater!